Track torpedo



Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACK TORPEDO No Drawing. Application April 20, 1936, Serial No. 75,419

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to explosives. More particularly, my invention relates to a certain new and useful improvement in detonating explosives especially, though not exclusively, of the type adapted for use in track-torpedoes and the like, my present invention having for its chief object and residing in the provision of a track-torpedo uniquely characterized, in that it may not only be safely, economically, inexpensively, and easily manufactured, but may subsequently be stored, handled, and used with safety and without fear of premature, spontaneous, or accidental explosion or detonation; it will explode or detonate only under more or less great predetermined pressure or force; it will detonate partially or wholly depending upon the extent of the blow or pressure over and upon the surface or area thereof; it may be penetrated or pierced by a nail or the like without detonation; it will not explode through or by contact merely with an exploding, hot, or burning object or companion torpedo; it is substantially waterproof in or under normal usage; and it is efficient in the performance of its intended purpose.

My new torpedo comprises as its initial essential elements or constituents an oxidizing agent of the type employed in explosives, such as perchlorate of potash or preferably merely chlorate of potash, a body wood-flour, saw-dust, or other analogous finely ground or divided organic or fibrous carbonaceous material, sand or other suitable granular abrasive material, and what may be generally termed or designated as a binder.

Now, in the production of the torpedo, the pot ash and fibrous carbonaceous material are each separately screened to a suitable degree of fineness, approximately forty mesh, for the elimination of lumps, slightly moistened with water, and then permitted to stand for approximately one hour, the potash and carbonaceous material being then thoroughly mixed and commingled in the proportions approximately of eight parts of potash to one of carbonaceous material. The

to function not only in adhesively, as it may be said, retaining the particles together in compact cake or tablet form, as presently appears, but also in augmenting the cooperable detonating properties of the other mentioned constituents, D and, to such end, comprises as its constituents or elements nitro-cellulose, rosin, and suitable solvents, such as and preferably butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and ethyl alcohol, and in the production of the binder, the nitro-cellulose is first cut and reduced in the butyl and ethyl acetate in the proportions approximately of one part of nitro-cellulose to three parts each of the butyl acetate and ethyl acetate. Similarly, the rosin is cut and reduced in the ethyl alcohol in the proportions of approximately one part of rosin to two parts of the alcohol. The two solutions are then mixed in approximately equal proportions and then added, as described, to the intimately mixed mass of potash, carbonaceous material, and sand.

Then, by any suitable means, the homogeneous mass mentioned is divided and formed into compact individual cakes or tablets of the desired shape or contour and weight, the individual cakes or tablets being then suitably and thoroughly dried at a temperature preferably not in excess of 150 F., for I have found that a higher heat or temperature tends to form a hard surface film, which interferes with and prevents proper drying of the tablet interior. The finished individual cakes or tablets may then be wrapped and assembled in any manner not only to meet the requirements or specifications of the Bureau of Explosives, the American Railroad Association, or other purchasing or governing bodies or commissions, but also to enable facile and convenient attachment upon a rail.

So built up and comprising the elements or constituents mentioned, the final or ultimate torpedo possesses, through the -co-operable action of such elements, the unique properties and characteristics recited, and, under a suitable blow, force, or pressure, detonates loudly and efficiently for warning or signalling purposes. Yet, I may add that the torpedo is less sensitive than any others of which I am aware, and the force of an explosion of a torpedo is not readily transmitted to a contacting or adjacent torpedo, evidently due to the cushioning effect of the finely ground carbonaceous material, this result being increased through the moistening of the carbonaceous material swelling and enlarging the fibre, which, on drying, shrinks and leaves cells or air pockets throughout the body ofthe torpedo.

It is to be understood that, while the proportions of the several elements mentioned are more or less critical, variations within a limited range may-be made therein and that equivalents or similar elements may be substituted for those herein specifically mentioned without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A detonating explosive comprising as constituent elements chlorate of potash, finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, and nitrocellulose.

2. A detonating explosive comprising as constituent elements chlorate of potash, finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, sand, nitrocellulose, and rosin.

-3. A detonating explosive in cake form comprising as constituent elements chlorate of potash, finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, and a nitrocellulosic binder. 4. A detonating explosive in cake form comprising as constituent elements chlorate of potash, finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, and a rosinous binder.

5. A detonating explosive in cake form comprising as constituent elements chlorate of potash, finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, sand, and a nitrocellulosic rosinous binder.

. 6. A detonating explosive in dried cake form comprising as constituent elements screened and finely divided chlorate of potash and a fibrous carbonaceous material, and granular abrasive material, all intimately mixed and kneaded in a homogeneous mass and secured together in cake form by a nitrocellulosic binder.

7. A detonating explosive in dried cake form comprising as constituent elements screened and finely divided chlorate of potash and a fibrous carbonaceous material, and granular abrasive material, all intimately mixed and kneaded in a homogeneous mass, in the proportions approximately of eight parts of potash to eight parts of abrasive material, and one part of carbonaceous material, and secured together in dried cake form by a binder.

8. A detonating explosive in-dried cake form constructed of and comprising chlorate of potash, initially moistened finely divided fibrous carbonaceous materiaL-sand, and a nitrocellulosic binder.

9. A detonating explosive in dried cake form constructed of and comprising initially screened and moistened chlorate of potash and finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, sand, and a nitrocellulosic binder.

10. A detonating explosive in dried cake form constructed of and comprising initially screened and moistened chlorate of potash and finely divided fibrous carbonaceous material, sand, and a waterproofing nitrocellulosic binder.

11. In a track-torpedo, a detonating explosive tablet shaped and contoured to fit on a railwayrail and comprising as its constituents chlorate of potash, divided fibrous carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, and a nitrocellulosic binder, and a flexible wrapper enclosing and housing the tablet.

12. In a track-torpedo, a detonating explosive tablet shaped and contoured to fit on a railwayrail and comprising as its constituents chlorate of potash, divided fibrous carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, and a nitrocellulosic rosinous binder, a flexible wrapper enclosing and housing the tablet, and means ifor fastening the torpedo upon the rail.

13. A detonating explosive comprising as constituent elements an explosion-promoting oxidizing agent, divided organic carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, and a nitrocellulosic binder.

14. A detonating explosive in cake form comprising as constituents divided organic carbonaceous material, granular abrasive material, a nitrocellulosic binder, and chlorate of potash.

15. A detonating explosive in cake form in cluding as constituents chlorate of potash, a granular abrasive material, a nitrocellulosic binder, and wood-flour.

16. A detonating explosive including as constituents divided organic carbonaceous matter mixed with an explosion-promoting oxidizing agent, a granular abrasive, and a combustible binder, the same being formed into a cellular body and united in cake form by the binder.

17. A detonating explosive including a cellular body constructed of and comprising divided organic carbonaceous material mixed with and secured together by a combustible binder and containing distributed therein an explosion-promoting oxidizing agent and a granular abrasive.

18. A detonating explosive in cake form in- .cluding a cellular body constructed of and comprising divided organic carbonaceous material mixed with and secured adhesively together by a nitrocellulosic binder and containing intimately distributed therein an explosion-promoting oxidizing agent and a granular abrasive.

LOUIE A. SHERMAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,061,854. d November 24, 1936 LOUIE A. SHERMAN.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in the above numbered patent was erroneously described and specified as "Safety Torpedo Corporation" whereas said name should have been described and specified as Safetee Torpedo Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri, a corporation of Missouri, as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25rd day of February, A. D. 1957.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Patent No. 2,061,854. I r f November 24, 1936.

patent was erroneously described and specified as "Safety Torpedo Cor- Missouri, as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

LOUIE A. SHERMAN.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in the above numbered poration" whereas said name should have been described and specified as Safetee Torpedo Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri, a corporation of the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that r the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25rd day of February, A. D. 1937.

Henry .Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

